A guide to overcoming challenges in college for autistic students: AUTISM

By Madi Miled

"Breaking Barriers: A Guide to Overcoming Challenges in College for Autistic Students" is a must-read for anyone looking to embark on the journey of higher education.

Filled with practical advice, inspiring stories, and expert insights, this book provides the tools and inspiration needed to achieve success in college and beyond. Whether you are an autistic student, a parent, or an educator, this book will empower you to unlock your full potential and navigate the path to college success with confidence. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Madi Miled
• Release date: Feb 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215537749

Book preview

I. Introduction to Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological condition that affects the way individuals perceive, interact, and communicate with the world around them. While it is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, many individuals with autism continue to face challenges and opportunities as they navigate higher education and the transition to adulthood. For autistic students, the prospect of attending college can be both exciting and daunting. On one hand, college offers the promise of newfound independence, social connections, and intellectual stimulation. On the other hand, it also presents new challenges, including navigating unfamiliar environments, forming meaningful relationships, and balancing academic demands.

For parents, teachers, and individuals with autism, preparing for college is a critical step in ensuring success and independence in adulthood. This guidebook is designed to help autistic students and their families understand what to expect in college, build essential skills, and plan for a successful future. It covers the unique challenges and opportunities that arise in higher education and provides practical advice, resources, and support to help autistic students thrive.

The guidebook begins by providing an overview of autism and the college experience, highlighting the importance of preparation and planning. It then dives into understanding the individual needs of autistic students, including identifying strengths, challenges, and support needs, as well as evaluating college options and programs. Next, it provides guidance on planning for college, including choosing the right college and major, securing accommodations, and preparing for the college transition.

To help students succeed in college, the guidebook focuses on building essential skills, including improving social skills and independence, developing time management and organizational strategies, and enhancing self-advocacy and communication skills. It also provides insights into navigating college life, including understanding campus resources and support systems, building relationships and navigating social situations, and coping with stress and anxiety.

Finally, the guidebook concludes by discussing the importance of preparing for the future, including planning for post-college life and career options, securing internships and job experiences, and building a support network for success. It is our hope that this guidebook will empower autistic students and their families to succeed in college and beyond, and help them navigate this exciting and challenging time in their lives.

History of autism

The history of autism is long and complex, with descriptions of symptoms and behaviors similar to those of autism dating back to ancient times. However, the term autism was not coined until the early 20th century.

In the early 1900s, a Swiss psychiatrist named Eugene Bleuler used the term autism to describe the social withdrawal and isolated thinking that he observed in some of his patients with schizophrenia. The term autism comes from the Greek word autos, meaning self, and was meant to describe the inward-looking and self-absorbed nature of these individuals.

In 1943, Austrian psychiatrist Leo Kanner published a paper describing 11 children with similar symptoms of social withdrawal and difficulty with communication and social interaction. Kanner referred to this condition as early infantile autism, and his work is often considered the first formal description of the disorder.

In the 1950s and 1960s, another psychiatrist, Bruno Bettelheim, popularized the theory that autism was caused by refrigerator mothers who were emotionally cold and distant towards their children. This theory